Pressure Cooker

My mother always told me I put more pressure on myself than she ever did (debatable). Perhaps that’s why I wound up married to someone who likes to put pressure on himself and those around him.

Take for example, Mike’s decision to train and run a 50-mile trail race in September. That’s a huge challenge for anyone and even more so for someone recovering from a bacterial infection in his neck bone. A few weeks ago, though, this race turned into me pacing for the last 10 miles. OK, I can do that.

Not so fast.

Turns out I really need to pace him for the last 15 miles. When I ended the first (and only) half marathon I’ve ever run, I went to Mike and said, “I didn’t like that at all.” So it makes total sense that he would push me to go even further, right?

In fairness, I do have an interest in running another half – specifically so I can feel “good” at the end. (I realize this is naïve of me, but a girl can dream.) But 15 miles is so far.

The truth is, though, I do think I’m up for a new challenge – so here goes!

Taking Back the Morning

To be fair on myself, I have to admit that it’s been a hard year. My hub’s sickness really took its toll on me – physically and emotionally. My entire schedule was messed up for four months.

But the excuses have to end. It’s time for me to get back into my training – for life. I did indeed accomplish my goal of running a half marathon (I’ll write more on that later). At the end of which, I said, “I didn’t like that.” So my new goal is to run one that doesn’t hurt quite as much. Perhaps the weather can be above 26 at the start and the water station at mile 10 won’t be filled with ice – more importantly, though, I will have trained right.

I was reminded of this by a New York Times article today that focuses on the importance of training to succeed.

And in doing so, I will try to keep this blog as updated as possible on my progress. That said; blogging can’t get in the way of training.

Runner's High

With less than four weeks left to go, I’m feeling more confident about the race. This weekend was my first-ever 10-miler. Yes, it hurt, but not as bad I thought it would and not for very long. After an afternoon nap, my leg pains were pretty much gone. (… if only the nasty headache I had would have gone away, too.)

One of the greatest things about this endeavor is that I reintroduced myself to the runner’s high. It’s something that happens at different points for people, but it’s one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Remember when you were young and running around without a care in the world. You know, when you thought you were invincible and the only thing stopping you from getting to the top of the tree was fear of the trouble you would get in from the adults, not fear of falling.

That’s what it’s like for me. My first two or three miles are spent psyching myself into my runs. (Because I run in the mornings, there is a huge mental wall in the way at times, but I chug on.) At around mile three and four, I feel good. Wow, I’m running. Me, the girl who had the doctor write a permanent note for gym class so she would NEVER have to run; and I’m pretty good. Mile five is cake (and I often dream of the cake I can eat since I did run!). From there it's bliss… I just get this huge boost of energy like I can do anything… climb the highest tree, jump from the sky or, even run a marathon (crazy).

Don’t worry; I don’t think there is a marathon in my future, because runner’s high can’t fix my knee, but it is truly one of the greatest feelings. If you’re not into running, swim a mile or bike about 15 miles – it happens then, too. Pushing your body to its limits feels awesome – I highly recommend it!

And So it Begins

Word is out--I'm planning to run a half marathon. (I even told my mom!) And, like many people on the Web, I plan to chronicle my training here. The truth is that I need to be held accountable. By musing about my running excursions here, I have even more of reason to stay on track. 

Since this will act as a running log of sorts, you can expect to hear some of the details of my runs—distance, speed, muscle strains, etc. But you'll also get a peek into my head. I do my best thinking on my runs and I'll share some of that with you. 

Let's get started:

This week I started my official training. I need to get body used to running five days a week, then build up to running around eight or nine miles before really training. Day two (today) for this week was OK. I pulled something in my groin (and yes, I did check to make sure it's a groin for a girl, too), so I had to cut my run a little short. I guess I was overexcited for my breakfast meeting in the corporate dining room and took off faster than I should have. (Not that it wasn't warranted, I mean the corporate dining room has people serving you and there was even a menu! I was totally thinking bagels and muffins. No sir, I got an omelet made with Gruyere cheese—fancy! ) 

Tonight it's stretching for me.